Kalutara Holidays

Kalutara is, at its heart, a beach town. Once a busy trading hub for spices, now its wide sandy beaches, emerald palm trees and fruit groves have become home to a laidback coastal community. Only an hour south of Colombo, Kalutara has maintained its intimate and unspoiled feel. If you want to see an authentic side of Sri Lanka and still have some solid beach time, this is a great destination.

The main stretch of shoreline in Kalutara is typically tropical. Sand the colour of fire is framed by coconut palms, and you can look out onto the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. You won’t find many tourists here, but you will find the odd street food stall. Further down the coast, a half-hour or so, is Beruwala, whose sands are more golden, and unfold over 130 kilometres – more than enough space to find a private spot to sunbathe.

It's well worth your time making the trip over to Colombo, which stands in stark contrast to the sleepy atmosphere of Kalutara. The streets of Colombo clamour with people and tuk-tuks. You can weave your way through the colonial architecture, markets and museums to get a taste of what this city is about.